Friends, if you have read the bible you have probably picked up on the fact that the flesh is almost exclusively referred to as being contrariwise to salvation, correct? As we are weak in the flesh, we can only become justified through faith in Jesus Christ. And if we believe that the bible speaks true that we are saved through faith and not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), then how do we go about obtaining that faith?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). And the Word of God dictates that we have a spiritual rebirth in order to obtain salvation. Jesus said to Nicodemus “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). And for a man to be born again we know “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) So, if we hold fast to the biblical truth that it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we are granted grace unto salvation, can we justify enjoining the works involved in preparing and participating in the Lord’s Supper as being intrinsic to everlasting life?

As a lifelong Catholic, I remember not being able to eat before going to Mass as to prepare oneself for the receiving of Christ. As the Eucharist is the focal point of the celebration of the mass, each celebrant must be physically and spiritually ready to eat the body and blood of their Savior. Yes, that’s what I said: eat Jesus. The Catholic Church teaches that a priest can turn a piece of unleavened wheaten bread and grape wine into the real body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in order for the Catholic faithful to consume Him.

This is not such a hard thing to believe if you read scripture out of context. For in John 6:53 we read, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” And then at the Last Supper we are told “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”(Matthew 26:26-28) I daresay that if this was all that we knew about the bible, then the Catholic Church would be spot-on. However, these verses are not in context and there is a much deeper meaning to them; as any person that studies the bible knows.

But, before we delve into the contextual applications of the prior quotations, I would like to introduce some of the beliefs imposed on the Catholic congregation, which is recorded in their catechism. As always, this is presented as an exposition of doctrine, not a railing against the believers themselves. We pray that some will come to know and love the scripture and realize the fallacy of this doctrine:

1376 The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: “Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.” ²⁰⁶

1414 As sacrifice, the Eucharist is also offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead and to obtain spiritual or temporal benefits from God.

If the Mass of the Catholic Church is nothing more than a bloodless re-sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ, then what did his real sacrifice mean? We cannot, nor should we desire to, sacrifice our Lord so that we could eat his flesh and drink his blood. “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.”(Romans 6:9-10) The Lord’s Supper was instituted as a way for us to remind ourselves of the sacrifice of his flesh and blood for the remission of sins. Whereas being Christians we should remember Christ in everything we do; the sharing in the Lord’s Supper provides us with an opportunity to gather and collectively and individually consider the loving sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us.

To revisit the verses that were previously ascribed to the Catholic doctrine, we must expound what was fully said in the scriptures, and not just accept ambiguously selected verses that become adulterated doctrines of men.

First, let us look at the verses in Matthew. Christ, as was his way, was relating the unleavened bread and wine of the Passover meal to His own body that would soon be sacrificed for his people. Our Lord spoke in a way that many could not understand and it required him to explain his teachings on several occasions (read through the parables in Luke, if you will). But, without the help of the Holy Spirit we are unable to understand the bible, that we might falsely assume something to be literal when it does not add up with the rest of the scripture if considered as such. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto Him: neither can He know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

So, when we read through the bible, we must pray that the Holy Spirit guide us in all truth, so that we do not read something that is spiritual and apply it as literal and build our entire belief system around it. Where the Catholic Church will take Matthew 26:26-28 as proof positive that Jesus turned the bread and wine into his body and blood, and by proxy they too have the ability to make man-made sustenance cease to be what it really is and, instead, take on the corporeal body and blood of Jesus Christ; I must ask what do you do with the next verse? “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”(Matthew 26:29) Jesus does not misspeak. He referred to the drink once again as “this fruit of the vine” and not blood. It was an allegory, if you will, of the sacrifice that He would endure for us.

When revisiting chapter six of the gospel of John, I invite everyone to read that for themselves the entire chapter. But, regarding Jesus pronouncing himself as the Bread of Life, he certainly is that. He had recently fed the five thousand and they followed after Him. He admonished them for seeking Him out, not because He had performed miracles, but because He had filled their bellies; they were carnally minded. So, Jesus told them that they should be seeking the meat that endureth to everlasting life. When they wanted to know what to do to work the works of God, Jesus told them that the work of God is to believe on the one whom he sent. And despite that fact that he had just recently fed them all, they wanted another sign before they would believe, and told Jesus that their fathers had received bread from heaven to eat. At that point Jesus reminded them that it was not Moses that gave bread, but His Father in heaven. To which they said for Him to give them that bread. “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”(John 6:35) And because they were carnally-minded and did not see the deeper spiritual meaning of His sayings, they murmured amongst themselves and Jesus reiterated to them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”(John 6:47) He then went into a short discourse about himself being the bread of life, and about the need to eat his flesh and drink his blood. However, his disciples could not bear what he was saying, for they were thinking like a natural man thinks. So, Jesus reiterated “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”(John 6:63) The truly sad part of this story is that despite the redundancy of Christ’s profession of belief in Him, many people could not get past the carnal-mindedness of the natural man, and they left: “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”(John 6:66)

I do not have any intention here of sounding vulgar, but if the Lord Jesus Christ was speaking completely literal in his saying don’t you think that we would have read next about him portioning himself out for the masses to eat? He cared for the salvation of all the world. And if it would have been that simple to bring people to heaven then I believe he would have done so. Unfortunately, it is not simply accomplished by eating a special piece of bread. We must accept Jesus wholly, spiritually; believing in Him. And that is something each man must choose for himself.

So, if the twelve disciples that stayed later became the elders of Christ’s church (except, of course, for Judas Iscariot) then they would have made sure to spread to the believers that they needed to eat the flesh and blood of their Savior. But, then why, when Paul (after receiving his apostleship) came to them to consult what behaviors should be followed, was abstaining from blood one of the rules? There was no exception. It simply said to abstain from blood. The answer is that the original apostles perpetuated the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of Him and not a re-sacrifice. “But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.”(Acts 15:20)

In order to make Christ manifest in our baked goods and fermented products we would have to be able to bring Him down from Heaven. That would preclude our belief in the second coming of Christ as being the righteous judge of the earth, and we would have to concede that the second coming happened the first time that someone practiced the Lord’s Supper. While Catholics may argue this matter, the bible says nothing about Jesus leaving His throne in heaven to become flesh and blood for the feast, but instead the next coming of Christ will be as Lord over all the earth to rule, reign and judge. “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.”(2 Corinthians 5:16)

The idea of the Catholic Eucharist proposes to us that we can receive the Lord inside of us, and that He is present for us to see. While it is certainly not in his glory that he appears, belief in the real presence of his body and blood is belief in the real Jesus Christ, present in our midst. However, we must believe scripture when it comes to the Lord. We will not be present with the Lord until we leave this body. We will not follow Him because we can see, touch, smell and taste Him; but because we have faith in Him. “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”(2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

If we believe that Jesus Christ comes down from heaven at every demand of a Catholic priest, then we must believe that whatever device that He occupies is God Himself. And if that is the case, then we have no other option than to worship that contrivance:

1378 Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of the Lord. “The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers to the sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving the consecrated hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to the solemn veneration of the faithful, and carrying them in procession.” ²⁰⁸

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”(Romans 1:21-23) And now the incorruptible God has been converted to easily spoilable grocery items. Men and women around the world will bow down and worship a piece of man-made bread that they have been told is God Himself. “And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.”(Isaiah 17:8)

Yet another quirky enigma about this belief of the need to cannibalize the Lord according to the highly selective literal application of scripture is that it is not required for a Catholic to consume the wine in order to enjoy the full grace that is given through receiving the sacrament. It is taught that it has a fuller form, but those that choose to only partake in the wafer of bread are not deprived of anything. If this is so, then what do we do with this verse? “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”(Colossians 1:14) You and I know. We know that it is through the sacrifice of the cross and our belief in Him and our confession of Him through our mouths.

Now, friends, if we could bring Jesus Christ out of heaven and into a piece of bread what would we build for Him to reside in?

1379 The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species. It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy place in the church and should be constructed in such a way that it emphasizes and manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

Another favorite residence for Jesus-made-wafer is in an eyesore called a monstrance. It is a large, highly decorated spectacle in the fashion of a huge sunburst that can be paraded around for worshipers to adore their god.

When Paul was in Athens he came across people that thought they could contain God. “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands”(Acts 17:24)” Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.”(Acts 17:29)

Unless my math is off I have thus far figured out that a piece of bread made by man’s devices turns into God the Son, and a tabernacle or monstrance that is made by hands is the dwelling place for Him. Oh, well, maybe we should just erase Acts 17.

Friends, please pray for all those that do not know the Word of God as it is recorded for us in the scriptures. As always, I write to you so as to educate you of the false doctrine that plagues a huge portion of this world, so that you may be better equipped to help our Catholic friends and family members see the Light. And that we, too, might remember why we believe what we believe. God bless.

—-Anthony Dentler  (a 27 year veteran of the Roman Catholic Church…..now a Born Again Believer Saved by the Grace of God )

Before delving into this piece, I feel an urging to give a relevant, if abbreviated, testimony. As I write these articles concerning blasphemous and heretical practices perpetrated by the Catholic Church, I feel that it is important for the reader to know that I do not do so out of spite or hatred of Catholics. Quite the contrary, actually, I have a quintessential understanding, love and compassion for these people as I was counted among their ranks for my entire life. That is until the Holy Spirit dealt with my heart and guided me to the truth that is in Christ Jesus through the Scriptures.

So, it is of the utmost importance that the reader understands that the motive behind these writings is not to inspire loathing of those that do not believe as we do. Not only is that a non-Christian attitude, but the only thing a believer has to boast of is Christ, not of himself.  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away (Isaiah 64:6) Instead I write to you friends with all humbleness of a lost soul that followed these doctrines unquestioned; so that you may understand the doctrines of men and their adversity with scripture. Moreover, I submit this to any Catholic so that they too may experience an epiphany of the “simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)

As a cog in the Catholic Machine my entire life I had a great respect for the priesthood, the bishops, cardinals and most of all, the pope. Growing up in a Catholic household, attending Catholic school and going to mass twice a week, one is taught from the earliest age that the pope is infallible when he speaks of matters of faith and morality. What greater position could a person hold? What awe and fascination and utter respect does a person deserve when they cannot make a mistake concerning the most important aspect of peoples’ existence? Surely, this man must be hand-picked by God if he can hold the key to man’s salvation by his simple declarations. Certainly, if this is the case then he must have a special relationship with God and derives all that he teaches from scripture.

By the grace of God I would not be held captive to naivety forever. Through my own study of the bible I became acutely aware of a sharp contrast between the teachings of the church I was serving and the lessons in the bible. Unfortunately, when reading the book of Matthew I noticed that my church only seemed to run parallel to the people of the bible in the fact that it so closely resembled the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus denounced. This is a disturbing concept when one considers Luke 20:46-47 “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.”

More dramatically, I quickly found a disheartening dichotomy between our Lord Jesus Christ and the office of the pope. Interestingly enough, I noted that the apostle Peter, whom they teach to have been their first pope, was nothing like the so-called Successor of Peter.

Henceforth, I shed the yoke of inscrutable Catholicism in favor of biblical Christianity, in which men are equal in Christ. Since then, I have had a richer, fuller spiritual life and desire that all should, likewise, have this blessing. Therefore, I write these things in hopes that some will be inspired to read their bibles and find for themselves the teachings of Jesus; and with guidance from the Holy Spirit find that simplicity that is in Christ.

The pope of the Catholic Church—

Friends, when you choose to follow a man for spiritual guidance, do you make sure that you know about his personal views, interpretations or lifestyle? Or, do you leave your beliefs up to the ramblings of a person chosen by popular vote? While democracy works in the secular world, I daresay that it is a frightful thought to have your beliefs hinged on whoever happens to be sitting in the “Chair of St. Peter.”

Over the centuries many men have sat in that spot as the so-called “Holy See” of the Catholic Church. Arguably, there have been some that have been outright vile in their sullied practices, yet they are infallible, so a believer must follow what this “infallible” teacher presents as dogma. And if the whims of two separate popes are of an opposing nature, then what? Surely, the current pope could not declare a predecessor to be fallible.

But, to be enthroned as overseer of the largest Christian population in the world, surely you must be an exemplary Christian. And certainly it could be assumed that this most holy, infallible creature would do as is told us in 1 John 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Does the pope “walk the walk”?

When the pope is selected by his peers to advance to supremacy, he is not simply told that he is the new CEO of Catholic, Inc. and given the keys to the executive washroom. Instead, there is an elaborate ceremonious inauguration that takes place among a vast sea of followers of the “Supreme Pontiff.”

When Benedict XVI was elected as ruler the cardinals of the Catholic Church all knelt down and swore obedience to him. To start out the inauguration he knelt with the cardinals in front of the tomb of St. Peter and prayed. Then in a peacock-like showing of importance, they proceeded to St. Peter’s Square among chants from onlookers. The pope was then endowed with symbols of his dominance and presented with more subjective swearing of obedience. In attendance to greet the new pope were kings, queens, princes, and heads of state.

The pope will then spend the rest of his days being treated in excess, living in the apartments of the Apostolic Palace or other lavish settings. Everywhere he goes people, including the very rulers of nations, will bow to him and kiss his ring and his feet as a sign of their obedience. He will receive invitations to meetings of the most powerful political influences on earth, and have ambassadors dabbling in the politics of every nation. In times not so long past, the pope was ushered in by an excessive coronation and enthroned wearing a triple crown, as a sign of his dominion. Does this sound like Christ to you?

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phillipians 2:5-8) Though Christ deserved the presentation to the world as the supreme ruler, he instead presented himself as a servant. He was God. Yet, he was of the most humble estate while on this earth.

In fact, when the masses wanted to crown him as king because of the miracles he had performed he did not entertain their desire. After the miracle of feeding the five thousand we are told in John 6:15 “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

Did your Savior live in palaces and castles and preach from the most expensively decorated churches? Did he live a life of excess, so as to be seen by all the people that they could marvel at his riches? Luke 9:58 tells us nay, “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

I think that we can probably concede that Jesus lived a life that is in direct disparity to the Bishop of Rome. But, let us now look at Peter, Christ’s apostle. As the Catholic Church touts that he is “the Rock” on which their church is built, let’s see how he rates against the “Apostolic See.”

Where as it is an expected custom for people to bow down to the pope and kiss his ring or his feet, Peter rebuked Cornelius for doing such a thing to him. “And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.” (Acts 10:25-26)

You see, Peter regarded himself as simply a man. He was a fragile man at one point and had denied his very Savior in order to save his own skin. He knew he was a sinner and after the resurrection of Christ, he took the commission of spreading the gospel of Christ. He did not promote himself or let anyone else exalt him. Peter introduced himself as an apostle and servant of Christ (2 Peter 1:1). And when addressing the elders of the church he included himself among their ranks, not above them; but regarding himself as being in the same position as they. “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed” (1 Peter 5:1)

However, the popery not only elevates a single man’s spiritual status above his followers, it also usurps titles belonging only to God:

The Vicar of Christ on Earth—I wish I was making this up, but this is a common title for bishop of Rome. Let us break this down into simple understanding. Christ is the only begotten Son of God the Father. He died for our sins and rose again and is now in Heaven with the Father. The word vicar is described in Webster’s 1828 as follows: 1. In a general sense, a person deputed or authorized to perform the functions of another; a substitute in office.

Could this be right? When Jesus left the earth did he promise to leave a substitute or stand in? The answer is yes, He did. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”(John 14:16) But, friends, you and I both know that the Comforter that was promised to us was not in the form of a man with a fancy tall hat. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things…”(John 14:26)

Friends, the vicar of Christ on earth is the Holy Spirit. If you want to play roulette with your soul and exalt the pope with that title, please remember this: “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.” (Matthew 12:31)

Holy Father—I probably don’t even have to tell a believer what is wrong with this name. However, it is a very commonly used title for the pope. I find it extremely depressing that people that call themselves Christian would refer to a man as Holy Father. Jesus was Christ. Jesus was God. Jesus would not have allowed anyone to call Him, Holy Father. He forbade the world from referring to their spiritual leaders as father. “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9) The only place in the bible that the title Holy Father is used is in reference to God the Father. “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11)

Friends, please don’t ever call a man your Holy Father. You know that you have a Holy Father, but He is in Heaven. Peter said in his first epistle, “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:3) The Lord will not share His glory! When we are instructed to abstain from idols, don’t think that only refers to statues and pictures; it pertains to people as well. Do not fret with God and think that He will not mind that you give His glorious name to a man. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

Are you following Jesus, or do you prefer the appearance of worldly power and money? Don’t let yourself be fooled by the Catholic Church, which likes to publicly announce itself as a victim of bigotry; but denies the atrocities committed in the name of Catholicism throughout history. Be not deceived, that organization is massive and wealthier than you can imagine. If you follow the Catholic Church because they are rich and appear powerful, you are absolutely right. They are powerful and possess great political influence worldwide. But that was never the case with the true followers of Christ. They were always the small group that did not heed to the world and its devilish ambitions of power and glory. “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Timothy 6:5)

Should you follow the humble teachings of Christ or the hypocritical ramblings of a man that lives in worldly excess? “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)

For the bible teaches that when we are born again in the spirit we will shed the lust of worldly goods. How, then, do we serve an organization that teaches it is the bond to salvation through Christ; yet, despite their outward calling to a charitable life, they speak hypocrisy through their holdings of vast fortunes of earthly treasures? Does the pope not realize that it is not good enough to tell people about Jesus, but he is to be an example? Having the knowledge of Jesus we must rid oruselves the worldly nature to possess excessive riches and the adoration of men. “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20) Please, friends, take note of who wrote that. Through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter, whom is claimed to be their first pope, gave that warning.

Another example that we get from Peter, the imperfect, humble follower of Christ that is not in conjunction with the extravagant existence of the popery is found in Peter’s response to Jesus after being told the perils of living as a rich man. Jesus said “…How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:24-25) “Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.” (Luke 18:28) Peter left all his worldly possessions in order to serve Christ. The pope gains the riches of the world and the titles of God Himself for the proclamation of Christ. Who will you serve?

I have had the argument presented to me that times have changed and, therefore, it is no big thing if a man declare himself righteous above all and infallible, so as to properly instruct the known world. I’m sorry if you believe that. We know that Peter did not assume that role. But, supposing that the world has changed, at least we have the scriptures which have not changed. And with that we have this assurance: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8) The world has changed. Jesus Christ has not. Therefore, we need not change how we go about serving Him.

When John was presented with the Revelation of Christ to record in his writing he wrote about the whore of Babylon: “I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:1-5) It is commonly thought that Peter wrote an epistle from Rome, but he referred to it as “Babylon.” John continues by making it very clear that the angel revealed to him, and all of us, who the harlot is: “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.” (Revelation 17:9) Everyone in John’s day knew that the city that sat on seven mountains was Rome. Oh, but how soon the world forgets or is convinced otherwise. The mind that has wisdom knows of what is being told here. And if that’s not clear enough the chapter ends with this verse. “And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:18)

Like I said, when that was written I doubt there was a person around that didn’t understand that the woman was a city, and the city was Rome. Friends, keep in mind that Rome has not changed much since that time. It did not die out, it simply got a facelift. It changed from the Roman Empire, to the Holy Roman Empire to the current Roman Catholic Church. In its current state it wields power over more of this earth than Nero ever had, yet the Emperor is now called a pope and every nation’s leaders bow down before him. Choose who you will serve.

In closing, I want to reiterate that my goal here is to expose the evil of the doctrines and practices, not the people. I hope that reading this has moved you spiritually, but don’t you for one second think that as a bible believing Christian that you are better than those that disagree with you. Instead, be moved to compassion and pray for those that are deceived by deceitful doctrine and ambitions of worldly glory. You and I need the grace of God just as much as the pope of Rome does. Do not be drawn to anger over what you have read concerning this man; but pray for him just as much as you would your friend or family member, that he might abandon earthly glories for heavenly treasures.

and these are the Signs of the Times…

—-Anthony Dentler  (a 27 year veteran of the Roman Catholic Church…..now a Born Again Believer Saved by the Grace of God )